Manchester City are reportedly seeking to bolster their midfield through a potential signing, with Roma’s Manu Kone identified as a viable option. The club’s revamped squad, following the departures of Rodri and Tijjani Reijnders, is facing a significant challenge in filling critical roles, particularly in the early stages of the Premier League season. Both midfielders, Reijnders and Rodri, have departed for a combined total of approximately £110 million, leaving Enzo Maresca with a considerable workload to manage.
The acquisition of Lille’s deep-lying midfielder, Ayyoub Bouaddi, is also on the table, valued at £85 million, and City are hopeful of securing a deal for this player in the coming days to address a perceived need in the midfield. Daily Mail Sport reports that Kone, who spent two years in Serie A with Roma, has been identified as a potential target before the close of the transfer window. Kone, who has 19 France caps, notably played at the World Cup with France, featuring five times for the national team.
Kone’s performance in Serie A has been marked by four goals and 63 appearances for Roma, showcasing his dynamism and preference for operating off the ball. Roma have offered a figure of around £51 million for the 25-year-old, a figure that is broadly comparable to the agreed-upon fee paid by Al-Qadsiah for Reijnders. The potential for Kone to be targeted by Chelsea and Manchester United has been noted, with both clubs reportedly vying for his services. Daily Mail Sport reported last month that United had expressed interest in his representatives, but the club is now actively pursuing Brighton’s Carlos Baleba as a replacement for his presence.
City are also examining a potential move for Enzo Fernandez, who has been on the bench for several matches in North America, with Chelsea’s deadline for a deal passed without a formal offer. The Argentina international is reportedly keen on reconnecting with Maresca, with City unwilling to negotiate with Chelsea’s demands. Furthermore, Newcastle United are exploring a move for Nico Gonzalez, with the two deals combined potentially totaling upwards of £140 million, as revealed in a recent report by Daily Mail Sport. The two deals combined would likely be worth a substantial amount, with the publication suggesting that Spurs are pushing ahead with those moves. Maresca recently commented that both players were considering their futures after a period of limited minutes.
The situation continues to evolve, with City actively negotiating to sell Savinho and Omar Marmoush to Tottenham, adding to the overall urgency of the final fortnight of the transfer window. The Argentinian’s recent suggestion of a lack of minutes indicates a possible shift in his priorities, potentially adding to the overall uncertainty surrounding the team’s future.
Watch Related Video
Source: Sport
